Queensland's digital games sector is continuing to gain momentum as Screen Queensland today announced the 12 games receiving a share of $1.3 million in funding.
Globally, the digital games market is estimated to be worth $294 billion*, while Australian sales have risen to $4.21 billion** and games development in Queensland is rapidly expanding, with local employment increasing by 68.5 per cent across studios supported by Screen Queensland in 2023-24, equating to 263 jobs.
Screen Queensland has now announced the nine independent studios being funded in the agency's latest Games Grants round, which will support an additional 40 positions for local developers.
Games Grants funding backs projects across all stages of development with up to $200,000 per round and a lifetime project cap of $300,000. This latest round includes all-new titles from MAXART, Fuzzy Ghost, and Spitfire Interactive as well as the full release of 5 Lives Studio's Cozy Caravan.
Three additional projects are receiving funding through Screen Queensland's 15 per cent Digital Games Incentive, driving a further 84 employment opportunities for local developers. The industry leading incentive is supporting Spunge Games, Prideful Sloth and The Tea Division's Vanguard Exiles from legendary games designer Richard Garfield.
Jacqui Feeney, Screen Queensland CEO said that this new funding announcement follows a bumper 2023-24 period for the state's small but rapidly expanding games industry.
"Screen Queensland's investment extends across all levels of the local sector and that is paying dividends, with renewed confidence in our state's studios and the games they are developing.
"We are proud to be driving a step-change in ambition and opportunity across an industry where Queenslanders can be world leaders in the creation of unique and innovative games.
"After doubling the funding level for Games Grants rounds, we achieved a 133 per cent increase in the number of projects we are now supporting and these indie games are driving real 'bricks and mortar' highly skilled technical jobs.
"We've also seen well-established Queensland studios reach new heights, with Gameloft Brisbane now employing a local team of 100 people and recently announcing that Carmen Sandiego is being made right here, supported through our Digital Games Incentive and putting four iconic sunshine state locations on the map.
"From Toast Interactive's Max Mustard topping the charts on Meta Quest, to the buzz at our Made in Queensland booth at Gamescom which promoted Catto's Post Office, Len's Island, Momento and Servonauts, it really is an exciting time for our burgeoning local sector."
